Terry picks apart zone defense

Terry picks apart zone defense

BOSTON Jason Terry has no idea how well he will perform numbers-wise from one game to another.

But if it's a team that plans to use zone defense for an extended period of time, let's just say Terry's fantasy league owners might be in for a bit of a spike in points that night.

The Raptors' use of a zone put Terry in a comfort zone unlike any he has experienced thus far in Boston, and the result was a season-high 20 points and the Celtics pulling away for a 107-89 win.

"If you are going to go zone, you need Jason Terry on the floor," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "He's a zone breaker."

Not only does Terry's prowess at shooting 3s make him an ideal zone-buster, but his time in Dallas under current Mavs head coach and former Celtic Rick Carlisle has only enhanced his familiarity with zone defenses.

"In Dallas they played a lot of zone defense," Rivers said. "So that would tell you, he's practiced against it. You can see that."

Terry, who ranks fourth all-time in NBA history in 3-pointers made (1,803), nailed four 3-pointers on Saturday that all came at a time when the C's needed a basket to get on track or cement a strong surge to put away a pesky Toronto team.

"Terry Stotts (head coach in Portland), Dwane Casey (Toronto head coach), Rick Carlisle (head coach in Dallas) ... all the guys I know are going to play zone, I get extra excited (about playing against)," Terry said. "As you know, in the zone they're going to pack it in. They don't want to give up anything inside. Shooters are going to be wide open."

And if you're talking about one of the all-time greats, being left wide open, the result in that is clear - buckets.

In addition to the volume of shots made by Terry (he was 7-for-10 shooting), the timing of Terry's baskets was even more instrumental in the Celtics win.

After the Raptors cut Boston's lead to 63-61 in the third quarter following a pair of Andrea Bargnani free throws, Terry hit a 3-pointer to push the Celtics lead back to five points.

That set off a 16-3 run by Boston to close out the quarter, a run that included two additional 3-pointers by Terry.

"Knowing the offense we were running, it's a tough situation (for opposing defenses)," Terry said. "When our bigs roll hard, they have to be honored. As you see at the rim, they're catching, their finishing with dunks or lay-ups. When that happens, the defense has to suck in, they have to help. As a shooter, you love it. Your man has to tag, the ball comes; just be ready to shoot."

And that - being ready to shoot - has never been a problem for Terry.

"I don't think there will ever be any hesitation with Jason Terry," Rivers said. "Which is nice."

The former Red Sox manager (fired after a 69-93 season and last-place finish in 2012), and ex-New York Mets and Texas Rangers, skipper, also managed in Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan’s Pacific League for six seasons.

Valentine, 66, has known the President-elect and Trump's brother Bob since the 1980s, is close to others on Trump’s transition team and has had preliminary discussions about the ambassador position, according to WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford.

Valentine, currently the athletic director of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., is also friendly with current Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who, like Valentine, attended the University of Southern California.

He didn’t land in New England, but he didn’t too badly, winding up with the usually competitive Ravens.

On a Thursday conference call with New England media, Weddle confirmed that there was mutual interest expressed.

“Obviously, I was interested,” he acknowledged. “I have nothing but high regard, respect and admiration – and envy, quite honestly – of the success of the New England Patriots over the years. Obviously, battling them in my career, it’s always been a great game. I love the way they play, love the foundation, love everything about it. It was definitely on my radar. There were talks both ways, it just didn’t end up [working out].”

The numbers massed at the position with Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon played a role in the two sides not being able to reach accord, according to Weddle.

“I’m good buddies with Patrick Chung,” he said. “I grew up playing with him and Devin [McCourty] is one of the best to play, so I don’t know if it would have worked out personnel-wise. But obviously, I could have seen myself fitting in there seamlessly.”

Weddle’s New England attraction apparently wasn’t love that bloomed late in his career. Toward the end of his conference call, Weddle said, “I’m still wondering why they just didn’t draft me in ’07; I could have been still playing there now.”

As reporters puzzled for a moment trying to recall the 2007 first-rounder, Weddle chipped in with the answer: “[They took] Brandon Meriweather.”